Workers demand bigger bonuses

TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of workers from a steel factory on Jl. Raya Serang in Tangerang went on strike yesterday, demanding bigger bonuses.

PT Jakarta Steel Perdana Industri workers demanded that the company double the annual bonuses which are equal to one month's salary.

They claimed that the amount was not sufficient to cover their basic needs.

Workers later met with Musjoko, the factory's personnel manager, along with Marbun from the Tangerang office of the manpower ministry and Arsad, a representative of the local All- Indonesian Workers Association.

Musjoko said that he would pass on the workers' demands to the factory's bosses and a similar dialog would be held on Jan. 8, next year.

"I will explain this to my superiors. Whether they can fulfill the workers' demands or not depends totally on the company's financial condition," he said.

Workers reiterated that the prices of most goods have already risen ahead of the festive season -- Christmas, New Year, the Ramadhan fasting month and Idul Fitri.

And they need to return to their hometowns during the Idul Fitri holiday, 30-year-old Kardi, one of the workers, said.

The workers had filed written statements requesting an increase in the bonuses but the management had not responded, he said.

They claimed that their salaries were divided into two categories: those who had worked for less than 12 months were paid Rp 176,000 (US$35.20) per month while those who had worked for more than 18 months received Rp 320,000 per month.

The strike ended peacefully after Musjoko agreed to consult with the company's management. (41/04)